– Through check-in of bags and passengers on the same ticket
– Earning and redemption of frequent flyer miles
– Earning of tier points / status credits
– Access to “select lounges at key airports for premium and top-tier customers” (this is not precisely defined)

Additional services may be offered on an airline-by-airline basis.

Joining an alliance is a significant commitment in terms of investment in IT and providing reciprocal frequent flyer benefits. This is clearly aimed at smaller airlines, including those that don’t have their own frequent flyer programmes.

Whilst is does allow more airlines to join the alliance and allow greater flexibility, it does introduce inconsistency in terms of membership benefits.

There are sale offers for both economy and business class. However, not all destinations are on offer in economy.

Bookings must be made by 17 March 2015 for travel between 13 April and 12 May 2015 in economy and 1 April 2015 and 31 May 2016 in business class. There are also minimum and maximum stay requirements.

Bookings are non-refundable but can be changed for a fee.

The economy fares do look very good value from £531. The business class fares less so from £3,909 for travel from London. It should be noted that business class fares are substantially cheaper travelling from Manchester.